System for treating shell casings and the like



Wpm

Oct. 6, 1959 E. c. DISTLER 2,907,858

SYSTEM FOR TREATING SHELL CASINGS AND LIKE Filed Feb. 20, 1958 5Sheets-Sheet 1 SYSTEM FOR TREATING sum. CASINGS AND THE LIKE Filed Feb.20, 1958 Oct. 6, 1959 E. c. DISTLER 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 6, 1959 E. c.DISTLER 2,907,858

SYSTEM FOR TREATING SHELL CASING-S AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 20, 1 958 5Sheets-Sheet 3 2,907,858 SYSTEM FOR TREATING swam. CASINGS AND THE LIKEFiled Feb. 20, 1958 E. C. DISTLER Oct. 6, '1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 \Q r Jn v E. c. DISTLER SYSTEM FOR TREATING saw, CASINGS AND THE LIKEFiled-Feb; 20. 1958 5 Sheeis-Sheet 5 W 1. m w m a M m 1 m n O: mm .ID-5m m 2 WV Q R. m in. Z i= =T 8 wuifiYmm mm m3. 3 m :n lllllIl|l|l\lllll|l|ll|l|lllI'll Ilnllll (Ill-l l6 Hm now a d x x a r.

SYSTEM For: TREATING SHELL CASINGS AND THE LIKE Edward C. Distler,Rydal, Pa., assignor to Jennings Machine Corporation', Philadelphia,Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application February 20, 1958,-Serial No. 716,324

14 Claims. (Cl. 21910.69)

This invention relates to systems suited for rapid handling of shellcasings and the like as part of a hardening, annealing or other treatingoperation requiring controlled orientation and positioning of thecasings with avoidance of dents, scratches, bends or other deformations.

In accordance with the present invention, the easings to betreated areheld in vertical position with predetermined spacing for movement in anarcuate path through a treating station, such as an induction heater,

. by a conveyor rotated step-by-stcp about a vertical axis and havingrim structure provided with a circular array of vertical boresdimensoned to fit the casings. More specifically, the casings areretained in the conveyor bores by retractable bottom slides or gateswhich are with drawn to permit the treated casings to fall .from thebores. a

Further in accordance with the invention, successive groups of casingsare'supplied to the bores by a drum stepped about a horizontal axis andhaving groups of sockets, each group when in upper position receiving agroup of casings and when in lower position-discharging a group ofinverted casings into a corresponding group of conveyor bores. Thesupply of casings to the inverter drum is controlled by anintermittently-operating feeding mechanism whichsegregates the lowermostgroup of casings from a plurality of supply streams and permits them todrop toward and into the thenuppermost group of drum sockets. An ejectorbetween the segregating means and the inverter drum prevents anyimproperly oriented casing from reaching thetr'eati'ng conveyor,

Further in accordancewith the invention, a detector responsive toabnormal projection of any casing beyond the periphery of the inverterdrum precludes both further stepping of the drum and furtheroperation ofthe segregating mechanism but permits continued stepping of the rotaryconveyor for completion of treatment of casings alreadyisuppli'edtoit.

Also in accordance with the invention, 'a detector, responsive toabnormal projection of any casing above its rotary-conveyor bore, isdisposed in advance of the treating station -to preclude furtherstepping both of the conveyor and the inverter drum and to precludefurther operation of the segregating means.

The invention further resides in features of construction, combinationand arrangement hereinafter described and claimed.

For a more detailed understanding of the invention, reference is made inthe following description of apr'eferred embodiment thereof to theaccompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a front view, in perspective, of a'system for heat-treatingshell casings;

Fig. 2 is" a side- View, in perspective, of apparatus shown'in Fig. 1; I

Fig. 3 is a side view in section and on enlarged scale of the inverterdrum and of the ejecting and segregating mechanism shown in Figs. 1 and2;

ted States Patent 0 ICE Figs. 3A and 3B respectively illustrateoperation of the ejector mechanism for properly and improperly orientedcasings;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary rear view of the ejector mech anisn'i;

Fig, '5 is a rear view, on enlarged scale, partly in section, of theconveyor of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan view, on further enlarged scale, ofconveyor components shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a fragmenary perspective view of the discharge side of theapparatus;

Fig. 8 schematically illustrates an electrical control arrangement forthe system of Figs. 1 and 2 and Fig. 9 diagrammatically illustrates thestepping mechanism for the inverter-drum and rotary conveyor of theapparatus.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the tubes 10 are supplied by a hopperarrangement 9 with shell casings disposed end-to-ef1d with their closedor primer ends normally downward. Since suitable hopper arrangementsare, per se, known, it here suflices to say that so long as motor 8 isin operation and hopper 7 contains casings, the gravity-feed tubes 10are continuously supplied with casings.

For each cycle of the segregating mechanism 11, a group of casings, onefrom the lower end of each tube 10, is released to fall into an invertermechanism 19. During transit of the group of casings to the invertermechanism, any reversely oriented casing is ejected from the apparatus.

Referring to Fig. 3, with the slide 12 of mechanism 11 in the positionshown, the bores 13 of the slide are positioned with their open upperends in alignment with the supply tubes 10 and with their lower endsclosed by the plate 14. Thus, the bottom casing of each row or column inthe tubes 10 rests upon the plate 14. When the slide 12 is moved to theleft, the bores 13 of the slide come into alignment with the passages 16extending through plate 14 so that the group of casings is-segregatedfrom the streams and permitted to fall. During this motion of the slide,the casings in the supply tubes 10 rest upon the upper face of the slide12. When the slide is moved to the right (back to the position shown inFig. 3), all of the casings in the tubes drop one casing-length and thecolumns of casings again come to rest with the bottom casing of eachcolumn in the corresponding bore 13 of the slide 12'with its lower endsresting on plate 14. This completes one cycle of the segregating orgroup-feeding mechanism. The motor 15 for effecting reciprocation of theslide 12 may be an air-solenoid controlled as later herein described inconnection with Fig. 8.

The group of casings falls through passage 16 into a correspondingnumber of open-front chutes 10A defined by the partitions 17 and abackplate 17A. An ejector finger 18 extends into eachchute 10A throughbackplate 17A (Fig. 3). The fingers 18 are pivotally mounted on a pivotpin21 extending transversely of the backplate 17A and each finger isbiased against an adjustable stop 22 to the position shown in Fig. 3.

A bar 20 extends across the open-front walls of the chutes'10A and isadjustably held by the screws '23, or equivalent, in position suitablybelow the pivotal axis of the ejector fingers 18. I

As indicated in Fig. 3A, a properly oriented casing C, i.e., one havingits closed or primer-end lowermost, merely rocks the finger 18 about itspivot and continues its downward movement through an extension 10B of,

3 through the open front of the chute 10A. This movement continues untilthe casing strikes the cross-bar 20, whereupon the casing pivots aboutthe cross-bar, swings clear of finger 18 and falls out of the rear ofthe machine. The finger -18 thereupon returns to its orlginal biasedposition. By ejecting any improperly oriented casing, it is insured thatall casings forming the output of the apparatus willbe heat-treated atthe proper end. The inverting mechanism, Figs. 1, 2 and 3, is a drum 19intermittently stepped by motor 29 about a horizontal axis in timedrelation to actuation of the feeding mechanism 11. The drum 19 isprovided with a number of rows of radial pockets 27, the number ofpockets in each row corresponding with the number of supply tubes. Atthe end of a stepping cycle of the drum 19, the pockets of the topmostrow are disposed in alignment with the delivery tube extensions 103 toreceive a group of casings released by the mechanism 11, as abovedescribed.

In a subsequent stepping cycle of drum 19, this row of casings isadvanced to the second position adjacent the detector plate 30. If anycasing of the row is of abnormal length, or for any reason projects toundue extent beyond the periphery of drum 19, the plate 30 is moved bysuch casing to actuate a control which, as later described in connectionwith Fig. 8, precludes further operation of the drum-stepping motor 29and the actuator 15 of the segregating mechanism 11.

Assuming the casings are all of proper length, the drum is periodicallystepped to advance the successive rows of casings through the first andsecond quadrants of a complete revolution of the drum. The guard plate28 (Fig. 3) prevents the casings from sliding out of the pockets as theyare swung through the second quadrant into the fully inverted ordischarge position. As each row of casings approaches the dischargeposition of the inverter, this group of casings passes beyond the guardplate 28 and comes into alignment with a corresponding number ofvertical bores 34 in the peripheral flange of one of the casing holders33 of the conveyor 31.

To assist gravity-discharge of the casings from the lowermost row ofpockets 27, pressurized air is supplied to those pockets throughpassages in the stationary shaft 26 of drum 19 and communicating withthe passages 25 of that row (Fig. 3).

As shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 6, the rotary conveyor 31 comprises acircular array of holders 33 attached as by bolts 48 to an annular ring47 which in turn is secured to disc 46 which is intermittently steppedby pneumatic motor 32. Each holder 33 is provided with a radial slide orgate 35 which is operated, as hereinafter described, to close the bottomlower ends of the holder bores before the holder arrives in positionbelow the inverter mechanism 19. The inner end of each slide or gate isprovided with a cam-follower or roller 37 which engages the periphery ofa stationary cam 36. The slides remain in their closed position as theconveyor 31 is stepped to advance the holders and the casings withinthem, through a heating tunnel or chamber 51, preferably of thehigh-frequency induction heating type. Thus, for a number of steppingcycles of the conveyor, each group of casings is subjected to thehighfrequency field which raises the temperature of the upper, open endsof the casings to a temperature suitably high for annealing or hardeningpurposes.

As the holders advance to the discharge station 41 (Fig. 1) beyond theheating tunnel 51, their cam rollers 37 enter a track or passage (Fig.6) defined by the periphery of cam 36 and the inner edge of atrackmember 38 supported beyond the periphery of the cam by the plate52. As each holder is stepped to the discharge station 41, its camroller 37 rides off the fall 54 of the cam 36 and the slide 35 is movedinwardly by the lever 39 and biasing spring 40 to the position shown atthe.

right-hand side of Fig. 5 and in the upper right portion of Fig. 6.

The heat-treated casings are thus free to fall out of the holder bores.To assist gravity-discharge of the treated casings from the holder,pressurized air is supplied, as by block 56 (Figs. 1 and 2) havingair-discharge orifices positioned for alignment with the upper ends ofbores 34 of each holder 33 when in turn at rest at station 41. In theparticular arrangement shown in Fig. 1, the casings are discharged atstation 41 from the underface of conveyor 31 into a quench tank 53.

As each holder 33 is stepped toward its loading position below theinvertermechanism 19, the cam-follower 37 of the corresponding slide orgate engages the rise 55 (Fig. 6) of cam 36 so forcing the slideoutwardly to re-close the bottom of the holder (left-hand side ofFig.5).

The cam 36 ,for operating the holder slides 35 is attached to the lowerend of column 45 supported by the arm 44 which overhangs the conveyor 31and is supported above it by the column. or standard 43 (Fig. 5).

In normal operation of the apparatus, the rotary conveyor 31 is steppedby its motor 32 in timed relation to stepping of the inverter-drum 19 byits motor 29. The stepping motors 29 and 32 are, per se, of known typeand need not be described. Generally, as shown in Fig. 9, each of thesemotors includes a pawl and ratchet mechanism operated by a pneumaticcylinder which is controlled by a solenoid-actuated valve. The actuationof these motors in timed relation to each other is eliected by theelectropneumatic control system of Fig. 8, later described.

The casings are removed from quench tank 53 by an endless conveyor 60(Figs. 2 and 7) driven by motor 61. Normally, the casings as dischargedfrom conveyor 60 are directed by chute 62 to a good casing bin for thenext stage of manufacture. If for any reason the casings have not beenproperly treated, they are diverted, as by swinging the chute 62 toanother position, for delivery to a spoiled-casing bin. Such diversionmay be effected automatically by motor 63 as later described inconnection with Fig. 8.

To initiate operation of the system, the master relay 70 (Fig. 8) isenergized by momentary closure of the start switch 71. This completes .acircuit which can be traced from power line conductor L1 to lineconductor L2 though the start switch 71, the back contacts 72, 73 of thetime-delay relays 74, 75, the air-pressure switch 76 and the long-casingswitch 77 of the detector 30 of the inverter mechanism. The resultingclosure of contacts 78 of relay 70 completes a seal-in cir-. cuit inshunt with the start switch 71 for continued energization of relay 70after release of the start switch. This seal-in circuit includes themovable contact 79 and fixed contact 80 of selector switch 81. Theclosure of contacts 82, 82 of the master relay 70 con- ,nects the lineconductors L1, L2 to the control buses With the control buses connectedto the supply lines, the contactor 83 is energized though a circuitwhich can be traced from bus 1L to bus 2L through the manually operablehopper switch 84 and the normally closed contacts 85 of the overloadcircuit-breaker 86. The resulting closure of contacts 87 of contactor 83energizes the hopper motor 8 from the power lines L3, L4 for delivery ofcasings to the feeder mechanism 11.

With the control buses connected to the supply line, the contactor 90 isenergized through a circuit which can be traced from bus 1L to bus 2Lthrough the manually operable out-conveyor switch 91 and the normallyclosed contacts 92 of overload circuit-breaker 93. The resulting closureof contacts 94 of contactor 90 energizes the driving motor 61 of theendless conveyor 60 from the power lines L3, L4 for transport of casings:from the quench tank 53.

aco nsss The aforesaid energization of contactors 83, 90 also efiectsclosure of their contacts 95, 96 to effect ene'rgization of relay 97from control buses 1L, 2L through a circuit including themanually-operable heater switch 98. The resulting closure of contacts 99of relay 97 energizes the supply source 100 for the induction heatercoil 51. The closure of contacts 101 of relay 97 energizes relay 102from the control buses 1L, 2L through a circuit including closedcontacts 118, 119 of the spoiledcas-ing" switch 103.

The energization of relay 102 effects closure of its contacts 104 toenergize the control solenoid 105 of the pneumatic motor 63 of thedischarge chute 62 of the endless conveyor 60. The chute 62 is thereuponmoved to its normal position for directing casings to the good-casingbin.

The aforesaid energizationof contactor 90 also 'efiects closure of itscontacts 106 to energize the timer motor 107 through a bus-to-buscircuit including the manual-lyoperable timer switch 108. The timermotor 107 efiects periodic closure of its contacts 109 periodically toener- -gize the relay 110. Each time relay 110 is energized, its

contacts 111 close to energize the air-control solenoid 112 for thestepping motor 32 of the rotary conveyor 31. During each steppingmovement of conveyor 31, it closes and re-opens the cam-operated switch113 to energize and then deenergizelthe air-control solenoid 114 for thepneumatic motor 15 which actuates the slide 12 of the feed mechanism 11.

i As thus far described, the momentary closure of the start switch 71has resulted in operation of the motors for the hopper mechanism 9 andthe out conveyor 60, energization of the induction heater 51, steppingof the rotary conveyor 31, and operation of the feed mechanism 11.However, as yet no casings are delivered to the rotary conveyor 31 asthe inverter-drurn19 is not in operation. After the start switch 71 hasbeen momentarily closed, the feed switch 115 is momentarily closed toenergize the relay 116 through a bus-to-bus circuit including a normallyclosed long-casing switch 117 disposed above the rotary conveyor 31somewhat beyond ,the inverter-drum.

The closure of contacts 121 of relay 116 completes a seal-in circuit, sothat this relay remains energized after the feed switch 115 is releasedby the operator. The now closed contacts 122 of energized relay 116 arein a bus-to-bus circuit for relay 123. This circuit includes the timerswitch 108, the closed contacts 106 of relay 90 and cam-operated switch124 operated by rotary conveyor 31 during each of its stepping cycles.Thus, for each stepping operation of rotary conveyor 31, the relay 123is energized to close its contacts 125 to energize the air-controlsolenoid 126 for the stepping motor 29 of the inverter-drum 19.

It will be understood from the foregoing description of Fig. 8 that solong as normal conditions exist, all of the relays, contactors andcircuit-breakers 70, 74, 75, 97, 83, 86, 93, 90, 116 and 102 remainenergized and that :for each cycle of the timer 107, the relays 110 and112 are energized and deenergized to effect synchronized one- .stepoperation of the feed mechanism 11 of inverter mechanism 19, and of therotary conveyor 31. Thus, as above described, the hopper mechanism 9maintains a supply of casings in the gravity-feed tubes the mechanism 11segregates and feeds successive groups of casings to the invertermechanism 19; the inverter delivers the successive groups of casings tothe successive holders 33 ,of rotary conveyor 31; the conveyor 31transports the casings through the heater 51 and discharges them intoquench tank 53; and the endless conveyor 60 transports the casings fromtank 53 to the good-casing bin.

Should the pressure of the air supply for operation of the motors 15, 29and 32 fail or fall below proper value, the pressure switch 76 opens todeenergize the master relay 70'. The opening of contacts 82 of relay 70dis- 6 connects the control system buses 1L, 2L from the supply linesL1, L2, whereupon contactor 83 is deenergized to stop the hoppermotor 8;contactor 90 is energized to stop the endless conveyor motor 61; andcontactor relay 70 with resulting shut-down of the system.

The energizing circuit of the master relay 70 also includes the normallyclosed contacts 73 of time-delay relay 75. The switch 131 (Figs. 2, 6,8) for energizing relay 75 is closed by the slide-retracting arm 39 aseach casing holder 33 of conveyor 31 arrives at its discharge position.Under normal conditions, the excitation interval of relay 75 is tooshort to eflect opening of its contacts 73. If, however, the rotaryconveyor 31 for any reason fails to take its next step within say twicethe usual step-cycle period, the contacts 73 of relay 75 open todeenergize master relay 70 with consequent shut-down of the system.

The master relay 70 is also deenergized when a long or stuck casing inthe inverter drum 19 rocks the detector plate 30 to open the switch 77.Under this circumstance also, the apparatus is completely shut down forcorrective action by the operator.

A long or stuck casing in a holder 33 of rotary conveyor 31 opens thenormally closed switch 117 (Figs. 1, 2 and 8) to deenergize the relay116. The resultant opening of contacts 122 of relay 116 prevents theenergization of relay 123 by the conveyor-actuatedswitch 124 and soprecludes any further energization of the control solenoid 126 for theinverter motor 29. Thus, the conveyor 31 continues to step under controlof timer 107 to complete the heat-treatment and discharge of casings inthe conveyor, but no further casings are supplied to it by theinverter-drum until the operator momentarily depresses the feed switch115 to re-energize the relay 116. It is to be noted that operation ofthis longcasing detector does not shut down the whole apparatus, butonly the inverter mechanism.

If the operator desires to stop the rotary conveyor 31, the inverter 19and the feed mechanism 11 without shutting down the complete apparatus,the timer switch 108 is actuated to its oil position. This preventsrelay 110 from being energized. Consequently, motor 32 of conveyor 31remains at rest; and since conveyor 31 then cannot operate switch 113,the feed slide 12 remains inactive.

If the operator desires to stop the endless conveyor 60, the switch 91is actuated to its 0 position to deenergize contactor 90. The opening ofcontacts 94 of relay breaks the circuit of the conveyor motor 61. Theopening ofcontacts 96 of relay 90 deenergizes the relay 97 and so shutsoff the heater 51 by opening of the contacts 99. It may also here benoted that if the motor 61 is excessively overloaded, itscircuit-breaker 93 opens the circuit of relay 90 to actuate theaforesaid contacts 94 and 96 to open position, so to break the circuitsof motor 61 and heater 51.

If the operator desires to stop the hopper feed mechanism, the switch 84is actuated to its off position to deenergize the contactor 83. Theresultant opening of contacts 87 deenergizes the hopper motor 8. Theopening of contacts of contactor 83 deenergizes relay 97 and so elfectsdeenergization of the heater by opening of contacts 99. It may also herebe noted that if the hopper motor is excessively overloaded, thecircuitbreaker 86 opens contacts 85 to deenergize contactor 83 and sosimilarly results in deenergization of motor 8 and heater 51..

'If the operator desires to shut off the heater'51, leaving the rest ofthe apparatus in operation, the switch 98 is thrown to open position todeenergize relay 97 whose contacts 99 thereupon open. When, for example,it is desired to provide for transport of casings from the quench tankto the good-casing bin, after the heater 51 has been so manually shutoff, the switch 103 is thrown to eifect engagement of its, contacts 120,118. Switch 103 now completes an energizing circuit for thechute-control relay 102 independently of the contacts 101 of relay 97;

In the foregoing, it has been assumed, or originally stated, that switch81 is in the manual position shown in Fig. 8 with its movable contacts79 in engagement with contact 80. In such case, the seal-in circuit forthe momentarily closed start switch 71 includes only the seal-incontacts 78 of the master relay 70. However, with the switch 81 thrownto its so-called timer position with its movable contact 79 inengagement with contact 134, the seal-in circuit of the start switch 71additionally includes the contacts 135 of relay 97. Thus, when any ofthe switches 98, 81, 84 or 91 are thrown to off position, the masterrelay 70 is deenergized and the whole apparatus is shut down.

The manually-operated switches 71, 81, 98, 84, 91, 103, 108 and 115 maybe conveniently located on a control panel or box 136(Fig. 2) at thefront of the machine. The emergency shut-down switches 137, 138 arestrategically located at other points on the apparatus. It is nowevident from Fig. 8 that when either of these switches is opened, themaster relay 70 is deenergized and the whole apparatus stops operating.

What is claimed is:

1. A system for treating shell casings and the like comprising aconveyor rotatable step-by-step about a vertical axis and having rimstructure defining bores dimensioned to receive individual shellcasings, which bores are disposed with their axes parallel to said axisand in angularly spaced relation about said axis, transfer meansdisposed at a station above the path of said bores and operative duringsuccessive dwells of said conveyor successively to drop casings intosaid bores upon their arrival at said station, a treating tunneldisposed beyond said station and dimensioned to embrace a portion of thepath of movement of the upper ends of casings in said bores, detectingmeans beyond said station and in advance of said tunnel for response toany casing which to abnormal amount extends above said rim structure,and means for discharging the casings from said bores after movementwithin said treating tunnel.

2. A system for treating shell casings and the like comprising aconveyor rotatable step-by-step about a vertical axis and having rimstructure defining bores dimensioned 'to receive individual shellcasings, which bores are disposed with their axes parallel to said axisand in angularly spaced relation about said axis, transfer meansdisposed at a station above the path of said bores and operative duringsuccessive dwells of said conveyor 3. A system suited-for treating shellcasings and thelike comprising a conveyor rotatable step-by-step about,

a vertical axis and having structure defining bores dimensioned toreceive individual shell casings, said bores being disposed with theiraxes parallel to said axis and 8 v in angularly spaced relation aboutsaid axis, transfer means disposed at a station above the path of saidbores and operative during'successive dwells of said conveyorsuccessively to dropjcasings into said bores upon their arrival at saidstation, said conveyor including reciprocable gates for closure of thebottoms of said bores in time to retain therein the casings receivedfrom said trans fer means, a treating tunnel disposed beyond saidstation and dimensioned'to embrace a portion of the path of movement ofthe upper ends of casings in said bores, and means comprising camstructure for effecting retraction of said gates from their closedposition for discharging the casings from said bores after movementwithin said treating tunnel.

4. A system suited for treating shell casings and the, like comprising atransfer drum rotatable ,about a horizontal shaft and having at'leastone row of radial sockets spaced angularly about said shaft anddimensioned to receive individual casings, a conveyor rotatablestep-bystep about a vertical axis and provided with vertically extendingbores dimensioned to receive individual shellcasings, means for steppingsaid drum during successive dwells of said conveyor successively to dropcasings from said drum sockets into said conveyor bores, each of saidangularly spaced sockets having an air passage extending from the bottomthereof to said shaft and the under surface of said shaft having foreach row of angularly spaced sockets a port successively incommunication with said passages as the corresponding socket is steppedto its lowermost position, means for supplying air under pressurethrough said shaft port to assist the gravity-discharge of casings fromsaid drum sockets into' said conveyor bores, a treating tunnel disposedand dimensioned to embrace the path of movement of the upper ends ofcasings in said bores, and means for discharging the casings from saidbores after movement within saidtreating tunnel. i

5. A system suited for treating shell casings and the like comprising atransfer drum rotatable about a horizontal axis and having at least onerow of radial sockets spaced angularly about said axis and dimensionedto receive individual casings, a conveyor rotatable step-by-' step abouta vertical axis and provided with vertically extending bores dimensionedto receive individual shell casings, means for stepping said drum duringsuccessive dwells of said conveyor successively to drop casings fromsaid drum sockets into said conveyor bores, means adjacent the peripheryof said drum for detecting any casing which to abnormal amount extendstherefrom, a treating tunnel disposed and dimensioned to embrace thepath of movement of the upper ends of casings in said bores, and meansfor discharging the casings from said bores after movement within saidtreating tunnel.

6. A system suited for treating shell casings and the like comprising atransfer drum rotatable about a horizontal axis and having at least onerow of radial sockets spaced angularly about said axis and dimensionedto receive individual casings, a conveyor rotatable step-bystep about avertical axis and provided with-vertically extending bores dimensionedto receive individual shell casings, means for stepping said drum duringsuccessive dwells of said conveyor successively to drop casings from'said drum sockets into said conveyor bores, means adjacent the pen'pheryof said drum for detecting any casing which to abnormal amount extendstherefrom, a treat ing tunnel disposed and dimensioned to embrace thepath; of movement of the upper ends of casings in said bores, meanscontrolled by said detecting means to disable said drum-stepping meansduring continued stepping of said conveyor for completion of treatmentof casings pre-" viously transferred from the drum to said conveyor, andmeans for discharging the casings from said bores after, movement Withinsaid treating tunnel.

7. A system suited for treating shell casings and the, like comprising atransfer drum rotatable about a horitreating tunnel disposed anddimensioned to embrace the path of movement of the upper ends of casingsin saidbores, means controlled by said detecting means to disable saiddrum-stepping means during continued stepping of said conveyor forcompletion of treatment of casings previously transferred from the drumto said conveyor, a second detecting means disposed adjacent saidconveyor between said drum and said tunnel for response to abnormalprojection of any casing beyond the corresponding conveyor bore, meanscontrolled by said second detecting means for terminating the steppingboth of said drum and said conveyor, and means for discharging thecasings from said bores after movement within said treating tunnel.

8. A system suited for treating shell casings and the like comprising atransfer drum rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis and havinga plurality of rows of radial sockets, the sockets of each row beingspaced angularly about saidaxis and the corresponding sockets of therows being spaced axially of the drum to define groups of sockets; aconveyor rotatable step-by-step about a substantially vertical axis andhaving vertically extending bores dimensioned to receive individualshell casings and spaced angularly about said vertical axis to match theaxial spacing of the sockets of said drum-socket groups, the horizontalaxis of said dnum being above said conveyor and at right angles to thevertical axis thereof at a distance for which the lowermost group ofsockets of the drum is in alignment with a corresponding number ofangularly spaced bores of said conveyor, means for stepping said drumbetween successive stepping movements of the conveyor to drop a group ofcasings from a group of drum sockets into a corresponding number ofconveyor bores, a treating tunnel disposed and dimensioned to embracethe path of movement of the upper ends of casings in said bores, andmeans for discharging the successive groups of casings from said boreswhen each group in turn has been treated in said tunnel.

9. A system suited for treating shell casings and the like comprising atransfer drum rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis and havinga plurality of rows of radial sockets, the sockets of each row beingspaced angularly about said axis and the corresponding sockets of therows being spaced axially of the drum to define groups of sockets; aconveyor rotatable step-by-step about a substantially vertical axis andcomprising a circular array of blocks each having vertically spacedbores dimensioned to receive individual shell casings, in numbercorresponding with the drum sockets per group and spaced to match theaxial spacing of the drum sockets; reciprocable gates, one for eachconveyor block, for closnre'of the bottoms of the bores of thecorresponding blocks; means for stepping said drum between successivestepping movements of the conveyor to drop a group of casings from agroup of drum sockets into the bores of one of said conveyor blocks, atreating tunnel disposed and 10 gates to release successive groups ofcasings from said blocks after treatment in said tunnel.

10. A system for treating shell casings and the like comprising atransfer drum rotatable step-by-step about a horizontal axis and havinga plurality of radial sockets spaced about and along said axis to definegroups of axially spaced sockets with similar angular spacing, guidemeans for directing streams of end-to-end casings toward the topside ofsaid transfer drum, segregating means operative between successivestepping movements of said drum to release a group of casings, one fromeach stream thereof, for delivery to the then topside group of axiallyspaced sockets of said drum, a conveyor rotatable about a vertical axisand provided with vertically extending bores whose spacing correspondswith the axial spacing of the drum sockets of a group thereof, saidconveyor being stepped during each dwell of said drum to position agroup of its bores to receive a group of inverted casings from the nextbottomside group of sockets of said drum,-

ejector means between said segregating means and said transfer drum fordiverting improperly oriented casings, whereby all casings in saidconveyor bores are similarly oriented, a treating tunnel disposed beyondsaid drum and dimensioned to embrace the path of movement of the upperends of the similarly oriented casings in said bores, and meansfordischarging the casings from said bores after movement within saidtreating tunnel.

11. A system as in claim 10 additionally including means responsive toabnormal extent of projection of any casing from said transfer drum forterminating operation of said segregating means and stepping of saidtransfer drum.

12. A system as in claim 11 additionally including means responsive toabnormal extent of projection of any casing above its conveyor bore forterminating stepping of both said transfer drum and said conveyorand'for terminating operation of said segregating means.

13. A system suited for treating shell casings and the like comprising aconveyor rotatable step-by-step about a vertical axis and havingstructure defining angularly spaced boresdimensioned to receiveindividual casings, the axes of said bores being parallel to said axisof rotation; a treating tunnel adjacent a portion of the path of saidconveyor structure to embrace the upper ends of casings in said bores;means for supplying casings to said conveyor bores comprising anintermittently stepped inr verter drum, casing guiding means, and anintermittentlydimensioned to embrace the path of movement of theoperated casing-segregating means, said inverter drum having radialsockets which for one angular position of said drum receive casingsreleased by said segregating means from said casing guiding means andwhich for a subsequent angular position of said drum drop such casingsin inverted position from the drum sockets into the conveyor bores; andmeans for releasing the treated casings from the conveyor bores inadvance of return of the bores to position below said inverter drum.

'14. A system as in claim 13 in which said casing supply meansadditionally includes ejector means between said inverter drum and saidsegregating means to prevent reception by said drum sockets of reverselyoriented casings so to insure similar orientation of all casings movedby said conveyor into said treating tunnel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

